Saturday, 27 December 2014

Getting dressed up and opening presents in the morning. Toddler wore his Santa & snowman outfit. Here he is playing with his new lego - absolutely loves it!

Admiring Christmas trees and decorations :)

Going on a lovely Christmas day walk to the seaside. So many people were out and we even saw a swimmer in the sea without his wetsuit (crazy)! Toddler always loves the sea, although he tries to walk in it these days!

Eating a huge Christmas dinner and lots of delicious food including this cute Christmas cake.

Thinking about the people living in real little town of Bethlehem in the Palestinian West Bank who struggle every day because they're living under occupation.

And finally ... playing with all of toddler's new toys, reading his new books to him, speaking with family & friends, watching Christmas films and even having some time to relax. A very chilled out Christmas (with a couple of toddler tantrums thrown in) :)

Monday, 22 December 2014

Yesterday we went to ‘Burning the Clocks’ for the first time with toddler. It’s an annual parade that takes place in Brighton to mark the Winter Solstice. The procession included people carrying white lanterns, dancers and musicians, some in costumes, making the streets come alive. It was cold and windy but thousands of people had come to watch, us included. It was an amazing sight and well worth it. Even toddler was dancing along to the drummers from his pushchair.

The parade went through the centre of town, along the seafront, pass the pier and the wheel and then congregated by the sea for the actual burning of the huge clock lantern and the finale - fireworks! Toddler didn’t enjoy this bit too much, understandably. We were pretty close and they were too loud for him. Luckily they didn’t last too long though. Next year we’ll miss out the fireworks but definitely go to the parade again. Thanks Brighton city :)

Please note: All photographs are my own. Please don't use without my permission.

Thursday, 18 December 2014

Christmas is such a special time of year. I see it as a time with loved ones, a time for parties (usually baby related these days), some time to relax and watch Christmas films, to eat good food and feel the christmas spirit with friends and family. Sometimes, I feel it’s easy to get wrapped up in buying presents (like the pun?!) instead of focusing on the things that truly matter. So here’s my Christmas list of things I really want and need.

1. Family time. This is what Christmas is all about isn’t it! This year, on Christmas day itself, it will be just the three of us and our first Christmas as a family in Brighton! It will also be toddler’s first Christmas where he’ll actually be aware that the day is somehow different and special. He was just 6 months last year but now at 18 months he’s aware of everything and is particularly good at noticing when something is different or unusual (he pointed to a small spot on my face the other day and frowned!) Sometimes, it can feel like we are living in the fast lane, so it will be nice to spend some quality time together, relaxing, going for walks, playing, dancing, eating, having fun and just enjoying the moment.

2. Good health! This is one we often take for granted. Toddler has been sick for weeks now. It started with a bad cough then an ongoing cold combined with teething and then just a few nights ago vomiting! He was sick six times in the night poor little boy. The doctor says it’s just a bug and he seems more chirpy today so fingers crossed he’s on the mend. I know toddlers are sick a lot, all my mummy friends seem to be going through the same thing and it seems there are several things going around, it's that time of year. I’ve been exhausted and we’ve been stuck indoors for most of the time which isn’t much fun as we usually go out every day. Of course, there are children all over the world that are suffering far worst. It makes you realise how important good health is. So, it’s top of my wish list with family time. I wish for us all to be in good health over Christmas.

3. Memorable fun & happy experiences. As toddler has been sick we had to cancel a few things recently. I’d like to show him a nativity scene explaining the story of Jesus. We’re still hoping to take him on his first trip to see Father Christmas. I want to show him more of the Christmas lights in Brighton and just do some fun and silly things with him like chasing him around the house :)

4. Good food and drink. Need I say more? Any excuse to indulge. I breastfeed so can never drink too much but a glass of bubbly will be nice ;)

5. Rest & Sleep. Along with all this I need some sleep! I often feel like I’m in a constant state of sleep deprivation (anyone else?) so it would be lovely to truly relax over the festive period.

6. Presents for toddler. Our little cheeky monkey has loads of toys and more to come for Christmas. For this reason we haven’t bought him too much. I don't think you need to spend a fortune. There are amazing boutiques in Brighton but also some wonderful charity specialising in babies/children & you can get some amazing finds, occasionally brand new for a just a few pounds! You really don’t need to spend a bomb. At the moment thought he loves lego and I think he’ll like a lego zoo!

7. Presents for toddler (part 2) What he also needs are some cute winter jumpers as he’s outgrowing all his current ones. Here’s a couple I like from one of my favourite shops, John Lewis! :)

8. Present for me. What do I need? Ok, I would love some more help with baby, and a cook, gardener, cleaner would all be nice but realistically what do I really need? I really need a new pair of pyjamas. And I really need a new pair of boots! Mine are literally falling apart!

9. A Massage. Oooo, a massage would be lovely too. My back feels like it’s permanently in need of repair from carrying toddler around (especially when he’s sick). So, a relaxing massage would be ideal :)

10. Giving something back. I love giving presents just as much as I do receiving them these days, if not more. At this time of year though it's especially sad to think of all the people in the world who have very little, who struggle to survive every day. I have volunteered in the past and worked abroad for a charity which I continue to support. I would like to in some way help a bit closer to home. I don't know what exactly but I'll do a bit of research and see how I can contribute in 2015.

So, that's my wish list. What do you really need/want this Christmas?

Saturday, 13 December 2014

It was gloriously sunny today so I headed to the seaside for a coastal walk along the promenade (in Brighton). Toddler was napping with his daddy so I took the opportunity to go for a quiet stroll, just me and my camera! Oh what a beautiful day it was. The sun was shining magnificently, the air was warm, the sea a gorgeous blue and the atmosphere was so calm. I passed walkers, couples, families, joggers, cyclists, dog walkers, a little boy who looked like mine, kids playing on the pebbles, ships sailing out to sea and seagulls flying ahead. It's been a hectic week so this is just what I needed. After the wind and rain storm a couple of nights ago it felt that I had landed somewhere else but nope, I’m still in the (mostly) sunny seaside town of Brighton :)

Do you have a favourite photo? What did you do today?Please note: All photographs are my own.

Monday, 8 December 2014

The weekend before last I attended my first blogger PR event where I met bloggers in person for the first time! I’ve been blogging for nearly three months now and had previously written about whether to stay as an anonymous blogger or not. One of my reasons for not staying anonymous was because I wanted to meet some bloggers in real life. So when I got invited to an event arranged by Hillarys and the Joe Blogs Network I jumped at the chance! I met up with four other local bloggers before the event all of whom I’d either been ‘talking’ to on twitter/facebook or reading their wonderful blogs. They included Lauren from Belle du Brighton, Chelle from The Mumington Post, Clare at Little Pink Teacup and another anonymous blogger from Time Waits for no Mum.

Sunday, 7 December 2014

Monday, 1 December 2014

I was recently asked to review the Braun’s new ThermoScan 7 Ear Thermometer with Age Precision IRT6520 and thought it would be useful for us. I have a toddler who is particularly wriggly at the moment and very fussy about anything being put on his face, including in his ears. When he is ill that fussiness can increase and something like taking a temperature can occasionally turn into a mini-meltdown. The Braun thermometer is incredibly quick and gives your a precise reading in seconds. After a week of testing it out my little boy became so familiar with it that he now actually likes it in his ear and hearing the little ‘beep’ when the reading has been recorded.

What is interesting about this thermometer is that it has an age adjustable fever guidance system. I didn’t know, or maybe I did and have just forgotten, that the definition of fever changes with a child’s age so what is a normal temperature for a five year old, for example, can be classed as a high fever in a newborn. This thermometer can be set to three different aged settings; 0-3 months, 3-36 months and 36 months to adult. Therefore, this thermometer can be used by the whole family.

The best benefits for us are that the reading is taken in a matter of seconds, the little beeping sound is appealing to my toddler, the thermometer has a night light which is ideal if you want to take the reading in the dark and the reading gives a colour coded display depending on the level of the temperature. I wouldn’t usually spend this much money on a thermometer but actually think it’s really beneficial and I’d happily recommend this to any parent. For your chance to win your own Braun ThermoScan 7 Series Thermometer (IRT6520) worth £49.99 please enter your details below. Good luck! :) Please note: We were sent the Braun thermometer to review. All words and opinions are my own. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hello! I'm Polly (Brighton Mama on Twitter). I write about family travel, lifestyle and adventures with my little four year old son, 'Pip' ❤ We live in the mostly sunny seaside town of Brighton, UK. Read more on my About Page.